Meziesblog

We’re updating this post as developments happen.

• Strait of Hormuz closed after brief reopening: Iran reversed the brief reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A military spokesperson accused the US of not meeting its obligations after Donald Trump refused to lift America’s own blockade of Iranian ports. The key shipping lane had seen the “first major movement” of ships since the start of the war this morning. It came after Iran’s foreign minister said the strait is open to commercial traffic again to coincide with a ceasefire in Lebanon. 
• Price of oil drops: The announcements led to a sharp fall in both oil and gas costs, with a unit of UK wholesale gas now below 100 pence for the first time in six weeks.
• Lebanon ceasefire: As we outlined above, much of this depends on a 10-day Lebanon-Israel truce. The Lebanese army accused Israel of ceasefire “violations” just hours after it came into effect. But thousands of people in Lebanon have headed south for their homes, despite warnings from Israel not to.
• Could US-Iran deal be close? Trump has said overnight that negotiations with Iran over a lasting ceasefire would continue over the weekend but warned there would be no extension if no deal is reached by Wednesday. He also claimed there had been some “pretty good news” regarding Iran without elaborating. Two major sticking points remain, as Iran has contradicted Trump’s claim that Tehran will hand over its enriched uranium. Officials in Iran have also said the ongoing US blockade in the strait violates the ceasefire agreement. 

Iranian navy sends radio warning to vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have received a radio message from the Iranian navy that the shipping lane is shut again.

They were told that no ships are allowed to pass through, the news agency Reuters reports, citing shipping sources.

Earlier, a tanker reported being approached by an Iranian gunboat that opened fire.

Iran has today reversed the brief reopening of the strait, which prompted what was called the “first major movement of ships” through the lane since the start of the war.